Balogun's World Cup red card ban suspended by FIFA during 'White House call' claims

USA striker Folarin Balogun's suspension for a World Cup red card has been suspended by FIFA following an alleged phone call from a White House official to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, according to reports.

The Monaco forward was shown a red card during the United States' 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina for an accidental studs-up challenge on defender Tarik Muharemovic. FIFA initially confirmed Balogun would serve a one-match ban, but reversed the decision on Sunday using Article 27 of its disciplinary code.

Give Me Sport reported that a White House official contacted FIFA to request reconsideration of the red card. FIFA has maintained that the White House did not sway their decision despite the direct call. Donald Trump subsequently posted on Truth Social: "Thank you to Fifa for doing what was right and reversing a great injustice."

The Belgian Football Association responded with astonishment. In a statement, the RBFA said the decision "contradicts the provisions of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Competition Regulations as set out in Article 10.5" which clearly states that "a red card sending-off automatically results in a suspension for the team's next match."

The RBFA noted this was "as has been the case for all previous red cards issued during this FIFA World Cup," questioning why Balogun received special treatment. The statement emphasized that "the automatic nature of such a suspension was also explicitly reaffirmed in FIFA World Cup 2026 Circular No 16 which was distributed to all participating member associations on 12 May 2026."

Only two players in World Cup history have previously avoided serving a red card suspension. Balogun, who has scored three goals in the tournament, will now be available for the last-16 match against Belgium on Monday in Seattle.